The American Black Movie Pageant (ABFF) 2025 lit up Miami with a vibrant celebration of Black creativity, storytelling, and cultural energy. From gripping documentaries to recent tv collection, the competition highlighted the brilliance and resilience of Black artists throughout movie and tv. Radio and TV persona Jazmyn Summers was on the scene for Radio One, catching up with among the stars who helped make this 12 months’s competition unforgettable.
Ashanti Dishes on Love, Her New Present and BET — No Rehearsal, No Drawback!
Singer and actress Ashanti was all smiles as she talked about We Belong Collectively, her upcoming actuality collection with Nelly, debuting June 26 on Peacock. “I simply need [viewers] to take that it’s okay to be in love and never have all of it found out,” she shared. “You’ll determine it out alongside the way in which.”
Ashanti additionally mirrored on her show-stopping BET efficiency, which got here collectively on the final minute. “I didn’t even see the stage till about two and a half hours earlier than the efficiency. Zero rehearsal… It nearly didn’t occur, however we pulled by means of, so I’m simply very grateful.”
Jermaine Dupri: “AI Artists? Nah, Hold It Actual!” — Plus Magic Metropolis Secrets and techniques
Jermaine Dupri hit ABFF to unveil the primary episode of Magic Metropolis: An American Fantasy, his forthcoming STARZ documentary collection premiering August 15. “The strip membership is a part of our tradition [in Atlanta],” he defined. “Magic Metropolis is celebrating its fortieth anniversary, and it’s a narrative that must be instructed—not simply in regards to the women, however the entire historical past.”
Dupri additionally weighed in on the hot-button subject of Timbaland managing a brand new AI artist named Tata saying AI in music, “takes away from the method of actually making music. It’s too easy, too simple,” he mentioned, expressing concern over the potential affect on actual artists.
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Da’Vinchi Says 50 Cent Is Chill AF, Talks BMF, Haitian Delight
BMF star Da’Vinchi glowed with delight over the hit collection. “I knew it might do effectively. 50 [Cent] is behind it, and he by no means actually misses,” he mentioned. However he stunned many with reward for 50 Cent’s humility. “One of the humblest issues he mentioned to me was, ‘Now you’re serving to me transfer my profession ahead.’ That was loopy to listen to.”
Da’Vinchi, of Haitian descent, additionally spoke powerfully about his heritage. “We had been the primary Black individuals to achieve independence on paper from the white man in 1804. They destroyed probably the greatest warfare generals on the time—Napoleon Bonaparte. That’s one thing to take delight in.” On Haiti’s present struggles, he urged, “Simply pray for us. Pray for the world.”
And as for spilling private tea? Da’Vinchi stored it tight-lipped: “I solely come right here to be judged on my artwork, not my private life.”
Nia Lengthy : Jeezy Is Only a Pal — However That Love Jones Chemistry is All the pieces
The chemistry between Nia Lengthy and Larenz Tate, stars of the beloved traditional Love Jones, was as palpable as ever. “It’s not manufactured. It’s actual,” mentioned Nia. Larenz added with a smile, “Those that haven’t seen Love Jones—what are you doing? Go watch it with somebody you like.”
When requested a couple of sequel, they performed coy however hinted at future collaborations. And when teased about Jeezy publicly crushing on Nia , she laughed it off with grace: “I really like Jeezy. That’s my man. He’s good individuals.” Larenz mentioned he’s not going to let it occur, “I’m blocking,” he declared.
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Jemele Hill on Integrity, Leaving ESPN – and Discovering Love After 40
Jemele Hill, who got here to ABFF to indicate love for Magic Metropolis: An American Fantasy, reminded everybody why her identify is synonymous with integrity. Hill, who made headlines after calling President Trump a “white supremacist” and urging followers to boycott the Dallas Cowboys’ advertisers, was suspended for 2 weeks by ESPN and later moved off-air. She finally exited the community in September 2018—Largely attributing the transfer to ESPN’s “conservative tradition,” which she mentioned was “no enjoyable for me, and in order that’s why I left”
Regardless of the prices, Hill says she has no regrets about “standing 10 toes down”:
“You don’t know who you might be till the second comes. I couldn’t dwell with myself if I took something again. I assumed: I gotta dwell with me.”
She credited her help system—and up to date husband—for serving to her keep grounded:
“My mom and my boyfriend—now my husband—they had been there. And folk like Kevin Durant, LeBron, Colin Kaepernick. It confirmed me who my buddies actually had been.”
On a extra private observe, Hill shared her expertise discovering love later in life. Married at 43, she mentioned:
“Lots of people have satisfied Black girls that you simply expire at a sure age. We don’t… Don’t let anyone inform you totally different.”
Now six years into marriage, she’s proof that true partnership can occur at any stage:
“I’m glad it didn’t occur sooner. There’s a whole lot of profit to getting married while you’re already established. And it’s doable — he owned his house, had no children, by no means been married. Don’t let anyone inform you totally different.”
She is at present a celebrated voice at The Atlantic, with a success podcast and documentary initiatives developing, Hill proves that talking fact—and residing authentically—pays off, even when the stakes are sky-high.
Hill continues to make waves along with her podcast, YouTube present Let Me Be taught You, a forthcoming youngsters’s e book, and documentary work within the pipeline — all whereas staying true to herself.
A Legacy of Black Storytelling
Since its founding in 1997, the American Black Movie Pageant has been a beacon for Black filmmakers, actors, and creatives. Held yearly in Miami, ABFF showcases the breadth and depth of Black tales whereas making a platform for brand spanking new voices in cinema and tv. This 12 months was no exception, mixing star energy, new initiatives, and heartfelt conversations about love, tradition, heritage, and the way forward for leisure.
Because the credit roll on one other profitable ABFF, one factor is obvious: Black excellence continues to shine, on display screen and off.
Article by Jazmyn Summers. Photographs and video by Melissa Nyomi Stoll of Melshotya You may hear Jazmyn each morning on “Jazmyn within the Morning “on Sirius XM Channel 362 Grown People Jamz . Subscribe to Jazmyn Summers’ YouTube. Observe her on Fb and Instagram.
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